The Blind Witch
Chapter 29

I followed her once. She was my mentor. She taught me how to control the depths of the darkness and how to wield it to my desires.

With heavy hearts, Aiden and Ophelia made their way down to the throne room. For three days, there was no King of Kings. Now, so many gathered within the palace to glimpse the new king and his young queen. But deep down, Aiden wanted to run. He wanted to forsake the title, take Clarissa and leave. But he knew that Erebus was still out there no matter where he took her. At the very least, being the King of Kings meant he had others he could turn to, others who were sworn to him.

But he knew that many here today were not loyal to him. Even though they would all bend the knee before him, he knew it was a lie for some. They were there to survey their defenses, to see if he was weak. But he would not let them see him falter. He would hold his head high, showing everyone that he was ready and prepared to take the crown.

When they got to the doors to the throne room, Ophelia pulled away from Aiden. She would enter first. For the fourth time, she would deliver a speech announcing the new king. As he waited, he twisted the circlet that was on his wrist.

"There you are," Clarissa said gently as she walked up behind him. "I've been waiting for you."

"Why are you not inside?" Aiden questioned as he turned around to face her. He took her hands in his, holding them tightly. "You were supposed to wait for me by our thrones."

"I don't care what I was supposed to do. I am going to walk with you into that throne room." She asserted. "I did not want you to walk in there alone."

"Thank you," he whispered as he pulled her close. "Even though I saw you just this morning, I feel like it has been days since I've held you."

"When this is over, you and I should take a day just to rest," she suggested as she looked up at Aiden.

"I'd love to be able to sleep in," he sighed at the thought.

"It is time," someone said to Aiden and Clarissa.

Aiden nodded as he gingerly took Clarissa's hand. They stood at the front of the door, ready to reveal themselves to the world. As the doors opened, Aiden froze. The anxieties that he felt, the pressure that was suddenly upon his shoulders, caused him to second guess himself. But Clarissa was unfazed. Her head was held high, ready to face everyone within the room. She was the one who took the first step into the room. She was the one who led the walk, making it so Aiden did not have to think. He only needed to walk alongside her, following her lead.

Once they reached the steps, they turned around to face the crowd.

"Before you stands Aiden, the King of Kings. Descendant of Konrad, the first king! The first man chosen to be the protector of all the realms. Now, we continue Konrad's line with Aiden! From this moment until his last, he shall be your protector, your shield, and your sword!" Ophelia announced loudly as she held his gold crown high over him. She placed it upon his head and then moved behind Clarissa.

"Before you stands Clarissa, the Queen of Queens. She is a pure witch, belonging to the Coven of the Lode Star. She is the fated mate to Aiden, your King of Kings. From this moment until her last, she shall be your protector, your shield, and your sword!" Ophelia continued as she held Clarissa's gold crown over her head. She gently placed it on her red hair and stepped to the side.

"Kneel before the ones responsible for the safety of the realms and all those that reside within!"

Aiden watched as, one by one, everyone in the room knelt before him. He looked to his right, watching as Ophelia bowed as well. Soon, the only ones left standing were him and Clarissa. He took her hand, grateful that she was by his side. Thankful that he was not alone in this.

He led her up the steps and to the thrones. He sat her down first, making sure that she was comfortable. Only then did he take his seat, facing the world before him. One by one, the leaders walked up to greet them. Everyone wanted their names and their kingdoms to be heard before the new king and queen. Some sought favors, others needed assistance. But a few were there just to watch.

Dray and Teresa were among these few. They waited in the back, amongst the vampire lords. It was hours before they could finally approach the thrones. But this did not bother them. They were happy for the chance to watch, to get an eye on every person there.

"Your Majesties," Dray said as they bowed. "We would like to pass along our deepest condolences. Although many are here to welcome you to your throne, we understand the reason for it. It is a shame that you must celebrate during such a time of sorrow."

"That is actually rather kind words coming from you," Clarissa replied cautiously. "But I am surprised. I figured you would be ready to celebrate Azrael's death."

"All things perish with time. When they turn to dust, they shall be welcomed to the darkness." Dray replied with a smirk.

Clarissa froze. Those words. She had heard them just days ago. Erebus whispered them to her. But… how did Dray know?

"We are sorry that we cannot stay longer," Dray continued as he looked at Aiden. "It is nearly nightfall, so it shall be safer for us to travel."

"Of course, safe travels," Aiden nodded, keeping courteous with the man.

Clarissa watched him as he left the room. He was not Erebus. His essence was not the same. It was weak compared to what she had felt in the past. But he knew what Erebus had told her. She shook her head. No. Perhaps it was a saying. But she was still unnerved.

For the rest of the evening, she became distant. Even Aiden noticed that her warmth had cooled. Something was wrong, but he could not ask it in the throne room. It was not until later when they could finally retire to their room, that he could question her.

"What is wrong?" Aiden asked once he closed their bedroom door.

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "Dray said something to me. I-I can't explain it. But he said something that Erebus whispered to me."

"What?! Why did you not say something? We could have detained him!" Aiden yelled as he walked over to her.

"Detain him for what? For all I know, he quoted me something from a book!"

"Erebus is after you, and you think it a coincidence that he repeats the same thing to you?"

"Yes, I think it was a coincidence because I did not feel Erebus."

"Are you sure?"

"I am sure," she answered confidently. "I am sure that I would have felt him. His aura… his very presence was suffocating. That night at Thresnora, when I meditated, he felt different. Even when you compare him against the four gods I saw at my Welcoming Rites. No, Aiden. I am sure I did not sense him here or on Dray."

"Then I shall trust you," he sighed as he touched her arms. "But we are both tired. We should rest. I have to be up early tomorrow."

"Why?" Clarissa questioned. "What is tomorrow?"

"The Alpha hunt," Aiden replied as he helped to undress her. "It is a tradition for new Alphas and Lunas. You go out and kill a large animal. When you bring it back and skin it, the blood of the animal is wiped onto your face. This symbolizes your acceptance as an Alpha or Luna."

"Wouldn't I need to hunt?"

"Typically, yes," Aiden hesitated after she stood naked in front of him. But it was short-lived as she pulled a nightgown over her head. "But I have said that you cannot join. You cannot see animals to hunt them. But it is not as if the hunt takes long. Just a few hours, and then I shall be back."

"So, no blood on my face?" Clarissa inquired.

"No, you will have to do that. I will bring back the animal, probably a deer or a bear. Then you will come outside, I will have you help me skin it, and then the Alphas who joined the hunt will smear blood on you."

"Oh, so I am not allowed to hunt, but I have to have blood on me? Great." She scowled sarcastically.

"It is the werewolf tradition," Aiden shrugged as he tugged the stiff clothes off his body. "Today was the human tradition of the crowning ceremony. Tomorrow is the werewolf."

"What about witches? Do they have a tradition?"

"Being the ones to crown the King of Kings is their tradition."

"And the vampires?"

"They did not get a say when the title was created." He replied as he crawled into the bed. He felt tired, and his body was ready to collapse. "Come lie down."

Clarissa nodded, her body ready for the rest. She slipped under the covers, but Aiden reached over and pulled her towards him before she could get settled. He needed to be with her. He wanted to enjoy it, even if it was for a few hours. Clarissa did not protest. She relaxed under their closeness. It did not take long for sleep to take over.

When Clarissa awoke, she stretched in the bed, reaching out for Aiden. But he was gone already. She scowled as she lay in the bed. He could have at least kissed her goodbye. But she was tired. They were both exhausted. He let her sleep in, even when he couldn't. Though she hated it, she could not be angry.

She stood from the bed and looked around her room. She was curious as to the time. There were no servants waiting on her. Perhaps Aiden had forbidden them from coming in until after she awoke. She fumbled around the wardrobes, looking for something to wear. After she dressed, she walked into the sitting area, searching for her sword.

As she found it, she felt something. No… someone.

"Luiasis Parairum Tasaetora," she said as she pulled the sword from its sheath.

Flames shot from her palms and onto the blade as she held the handle in both hands. She felt it. The heavy, suffocating essence. He was here. Erebus was here. Her eyes searched the darkness, looking for him. She held her breath as she watched smoke seep in from under what should have been the door. But she saw no orbs, only clouds of smoke and darkness that floated around. Then, his silhouette began to take shape. His power and aura were so strong that she could almost see him perfectly.

"There you are, little one," a deep, echoing voice said. It was him. The voice she would hear whisper to her. There was no denying it.

"Leave," she commanded as the flames on her sword intensified.

"I plan to, but you are coming with me," he chuckled as he held out his hand. Darkness emitted from his hand, materializing a sword. Clarissa could clearly see it. The blade was long and wide. She could hear the tip of it scrap against the stone as he adjusted his grip.

"I shall go nowhere with you!" She spat, trying hard to control the fear within her.

"I do not wish to hurt you, little one," Erebus assured as he pointed the sword at her. "You are worth a great deal to me, alive and willing."

Clarissa's grip on the handle of her sword tightened. She would not leave with him. She would rather die than go with Erebus. She pointed her sword at him, instantly shooting a fireball towards him.

Erebus turned his blade, blocking the fire. He saw her orbs dancing around. They swarmed tightly around her sword, making it easy for him to see where she was. The orbs that flittered around her aura were too erratic. It did not indicate as to where her body was. He was sure that her aura extended far past her mortal being. So he would need to be careful. He truly did not intend to harm her. He needed her.

He stepped forward, swinging his blade towards her sword. He could hear metal clashing against metal, but her blade did not bend to his. In his peripheral, he could see red orbs flying towards him. He dodged to his left, pulling his sword away from hers. He could see her swinging her weapon to attack him, but he was able to block her with ease. But he could not push against her sword. She was strong, or perhaps this mortal body of his was weak.

But Erebus stopped fighting against her blade. He could feel a darkness that was not his. He smirked. A shadow witch was here. Erebus' clouds traveled outward, away from him. It went straight to the shadows, straight to Victor. It pulled him out into the open, choking him. Erebus laughed as he saw the man come into the light.

Clarissa gasped, watching as the darkness gripped Victor. She swung her sword, trying to hit Erebus, but he moved quickly. His body seemed to move instantly from her to Victor. She could hear Victor struggle to breathe.

"No! Don't!" She yelled out to Erebus.

"And what is this shadow witch to you?" Erebus questioned as he raised an eyebrow.

"He is my Dad! Please, don't hurt him!" She pleaded. She could hear Victor's gargled noises. "Please!"

"Toss away that sword of yours and come to me willingly," Erebus instructed. "If you do that, I shall release your father."

Without giving it a second thought, she withdrew her fire and tossed her sword across the room. She walked quickly to Erebus, but her eyes stayed on Victor. She felt a hand grip her arm roughly. But then she could hear Victor gasping for air as Erebus released him.

"Good girl," Erebus whispered as he pulled Clarissa against his body. "I like shadow witches. Perhaps once you are transformed, I'll allow your father to continue to be by your side."

Before Victor could fully recover, Erebus and Clarissa vanished. The dark clouds left, dispersing into the air. A tear slipped down his cheek as he sank to his knees. He failed her. She was gone.

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